Ancient Wisdom

Lao Tzu There is no sin greater than ambition ; no calamity greater than discontent; no vice more sickening than covetousness. He who is content, always has enough.

Excessive ambitions necessarily entail great sacrifices. Much hoarding must be followed by heavy loss. He who knows when he has enough will not be put to shame. Such a man can look forward to long life.

Lao Tzu The good man is the bad man's teacher; the bad man is the material upon which the good man works. If one does not value his teacher, if the other does not love his material, then despite their sagacity they must go far astray. This is a mystery of great import.

Once a man went to the dwelling-place of a Sage and said to him: "I want to discuss my problem with you.' 'And I', said the Sage, 'do not want to discuss it.' The man was annoyed. 'How can you decide that, when you do not know my problem?' The Sage smiled. 'Why should you bring a problem to me if I do not know about it, and do not have perception greater than others?' Now the visitor was both confused and anxious. "Tell me what my problem is, then, and that will convince me' he said. 'O human being!' said the Sage, 'you are almost completely awry. If I show you that I know what is in your mind, I shall divert your attention to "the miraculous", and fail in my duty of Service as against theatrical performance.' 'Well, then, 'said the man, 'give me the solution to the problem, alone, thus fulfilling the requirement of Service.' 'But I cannot understand you at all said the visitor; 'I am no...